St John the Baptist Church in Hartford in Cheshire will offer the ‘Grand Service’ to three couples in 2019 who otherwise would not be able to afford a church wedding. 

The vicar, Rev Mike Smith told Premier’s News Hour: “It was an idea that came a few years ago now, when we had a couple who cancelled their wedding in church for cost reasons. That was followed by a couple more who did the same thing. It was about that time the Church of England decided to put a massive hike on its wedding fees and I felt uncomfortable with that and so began to put together a team of volunteers with the idea that we could do somebody’s whole day for an affordable price.”

The average cost of a wedding in the UK this year has now risen to over £30,000. 

The offer at St John the Baptist includes an organist who will play for free, someone to make a two-tiered cake, a photographer, a lady who is offering dress alterations and flowers. 

The package includes a catered reception in the Church Centre for up to 30 guests including a two course meal. A further 20 guests can be added at pro-rata cost.

Rev Mike said the church have been willing to chip-in with their gifts: “This is a group who very much share the belief that marriage is one of God’s great gifts and we want to help people get on that track”. 

The church have had eight couples apply for the three dates this year, one of which…

The Charity Commission will look into what it describes as ‘serious regulatory concerns’ over CAWRM Ltd – known as Jerusalem Merit – the organisation launched after White moved on from FRRME, the charity he founded for his work in the Middle East.

Accusations made by the Commission include unnecessary risks in moving money abroad and unexplained or unauthorised payments to trustees and a private company.

The charity says it is disappointed with the decision by the Commission and claims some of the findings are inaccurate.

While an inquiry takes place, the charity will be required to work under restrictions.

Responding to the decision the trustees of CAWRM said: “We acknowledge the role that the Charity Commission plays in ensuring charities can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society. CAWRM Ltd, also known as Jerusalem Merit, provides much needed support for families from Iraq, who have had to relocate to Jordan as refugees, with no means of financial support, education or basic health care.

“On 10 January 2019 the Charity Commission published a press release in which some of the comments are inaccurate.

“Following an initial visit by the Charity Commission in August we have complied with all of their requests for information and are disappointed that they have taken this approach.

“One of the strategic objectives of the…

Speaking in the House of Lords, Justin Welby also said it would a moral failure should the UK leave the European Union without a deal.

The Anglican leader was taking part in a debate in the upper chamber as MPs continued talks in the Commons next door ahead of a vote on the Prime Minister’s plan next Tuesday.

Welby said: “There has to be an agreement in which all accept the need to deliver the will of the people, which was expressed in the referendum. While also recognising that when it was expressed in such a close result there is a duty to build in compromise, an inevitability, albeit unwelcome to some.

“If not there will by default be a no-deal Brexit. That outcome would be not only be a political and practical failure but a moral one, equally as serious as ignoring the result of the referendum entirely.

“My Lords, a second referendum is not my preference, but if Parliament fails in the task entrusted to it, then regrettably it may be required. This is about more than Brexit, and Parliament must not show itself unfit for the job.”

The archbishop also encouraged MPs to work selflessly to ensure the UK thrives going forward.

He said: “As we embrace a challenge that I believe is hope-filled and exciting, of reimagining our country and its structures over the next few years and months, I hope politicians will take it upon themselves to make these crucial decisions…

Christian Literature Crusade (CLC) has announced its store in Ipswich shall cease trading from Wednesday 30th January.

Commercial director Jamie Hill told the East Anglian Daily Times: “We are not finished with Ipswich yet but, for now, things have to change and the store must close which really saddens me.”

CLC said reduced footfall had made things “hard” for the store, with more people using the internet to peruse Christian books and study materials instead.

Workers at the branch, which opened on St Matthew’s Street during the mid-1980s, have waivered salaries to help run the shop.

CLC also suggested a shortage of volunteers – with one worker set to retire – also contributed to the decision to close.

Jamie Hill added: “Penny is one of those volunteers who has waived her salary to run the shop and has done an amazing job.

“But with no one to take her place we have to shut, we will be looking down other avenues.”

Numerous bricks-and-mortar Christian bookshops across the UK have closed during recent years. The Wesley Own chain closes its last physical branches in 2014.

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Tracey Allen, lay chaplain at the University of Suffolk, bought the game over Christmas.

She said on Twitter that she was disappointed to find it showed men in mortarboards and gowns walking through Oxford’s streets, and women in a punt being pushed along by a man.

She accused the board game’s makers of “everyday sexism” and asked, “do women not graduate from Oxford?”

She called on the makers to update the game.

Players of Monopoly have previously complained that some aspects of the game were outdated – for example, its Star Wars edition in 2015 was criticised for not including Rey, a central female character.

Hasbro makes Monopoly but the Oxford edition is made in partnership with another games company, Winning Moves and has been on sale since 2001.

A spokesman for Winning Moves told the Times the pictures supplied were random and from an agency and it would be looked at.

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The rugby player, regarded as one of England’s best, made his return to the sport over the weekend after suffering three arm breaks in just over a year.

Despite scoring a try he was unable to prevent his club side, Saracens, losing to Sale.

Vunipola says on previous returns from injury his confidence was counter-productive and often saw him injured straight away.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said this time it was different: “I was a bit tentative and anxious – I readily admit that now.

“Before I was a bit naive that I could fall straight into it, whereas now I am a bit more prepared. And scared as well. Not of being injured, but the process of coming back is the hardest thing. Hopefully this weekend I can be better, then next weekend, then see when you go from there.

“That is probably my faith. I think God wanted me to be afraid. Before I was so confident I would be all right. I guess a bit too confident to the point that ‘I’m invincible’. That’s why I got injured again. So I’m trying to find my feet.”

Vunipola’s return to rugby is timely for the national team as they head into the Six Nations tournament in February.

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